The following was sent to (Orion Township Trustee) JoAnn Van Tassel and other board members several weeks ago, but we never received a response:

My mother in law, Pat Simpkins, who recently visited us here in Salt Lake City, told me about a very old and dear friend of ours, Mike Becker, and how he was turned down for a beer and wine license by Orion Township.

I urge you to please reconsider. Mike Becker is an outstanding person and runs a great business. It is not often a local resident, for his entire life, wants to run his own business in his hometown, let alone a great pizza shop.

In today's economy, I believe he needs this license to compete in the marketplace. People can barely afford to go out to dinner these days and grab an affordable meal - pizza - and to have a few beers is a treat.

Orion is littered with brand name chain restaurants everyone knows, but they come and go like a revolving door.

I think it is a shame that Orion would turn down a committed life time resident trying to make something happen.

As you know, we have had many frustrations with the politics of both the Village of Lake Orion and Orion Township over the years.

With the various boards I took part in, and the countless hours of volunteering, I felt we could no longer see the value in paying such high taxes for the political run around to citizens by candidate after candidate.

We choose to vote with our feet and move out of the State of Michigan. This again is another political challenge we do not agree with.

As I stated before, Jeff has known Mike Becker and his family his entire life. Mike does not drink, and has been clean and sober for many, many years. He is an awesome person and a great role model for others in our community who struggle with addictions.